Periodontal and Orthodontic Synergy in the Management of Stage IV Periodontitis: Challenges, Indications and Limits

Periodontal considerations during orthodontic intrusion and extrusion in healthy and reduced periodontium

In patients with advanced periodontal disease, pathological tooth migration may occur, which may require subsequent orthodontic treatment for both aesthetic and functional purposes. When planning orthodontic treatment mechanics, intrusive or extrusive forces are frequently indicated. Understanding tissue reactions during these movements is essential for clinicians when devising a comprehensive orthodontic-periodontal treatment plan. This knowledge enables clinicians to be fully aware of and account for the potential effects on the surrounding tissues. The majority of our understanding regarding the behavior of periodontal tissues in both healthy and compromised periodontal conditions is derived from animal studies. These studies offer the advantage of conducting histological and other assessments that would not be feasible in human research. Human studies are nevertheless invaluable in being able to understand the clinically relevant response elicited by the periodontal tissues following orthodontic tooth movement. Animal and human data show that in dentitions with reduced periodontal support, orthodontic intrusion of the teeth does not induce periodontal damage, provided the periodontal tissues do not have inflammation and plaque control with excellent oral hygiene is maintained. On the contrary, when inflammation is not fully controlled, orthodontic intrusion may accelerate the progression of periodontal destruction, with bacterial plaque remnants being displaced subgingivally, leading to further loss of attachment. Orthodontic extrusion, on the other hand, does not seem to cause further periodontal breakdown in dentitions with reduced periodontal support, even in cases with deficient plaque control. This is attributed to the nature of the tooth movement, which directs any plaque remnants coronally (supragingivally), reducing the risk of adverse effects on the periodontal tissues. This specific type of tooth movement can be leveraged to benefit periodontal conditions by facilitating the regeneration of lost hard and soft periodontal tissues in a coronal direction. As a result, orthodontic extrusion can be employed in implant site development, offering an advantageous alternative to more invasive surgical procedures like bone grafting. Regardless of the tooth movement prescribed, when periodontal involvement is present, it is essential to prioritize periodontal therapy before commencing orthodontic treatment. Adequate plaque control is also imperative for successful outcomes. Additionally, utilizing light orthodontic forces is advisable to achieve efficient tooth movement while minimizing the risk of adverse effects, notably root resorption. By adhering to these principles, a more favorable and effective combined orthodontic-periodontal approach can be ensured. The present article describes indications, mechanisms, side effects, and histological and clinical evidence supporting orthodontic extrusion and intrusion in intact and reduced periodontal conditions.

Selection of bone graft material and proper timing of periodontal surgery for orthodontic patients: A systematic review

Introduction

Bone loss progression due to periodontitis can lead to pathologic tooth migration, ultimately compromising the overall structure and function of the oral cavity. In pathologic tooth migration, a periodontal-orthodontic interdisciplinary approach is necessary. The combination of a bone graft and orthodontic treatment has shown promising results for periodontal regeneration. The treatment sequence and selection of a bone graft define the success of the therapy.

Objective

This study aims to discuss the protocol of the interdisciplinary approach to regenerative periodontal surgery in cases of intrabony defects requiring orthodontic treatment.

Material & methods

Literature searches were conducted on four online databases (PubMed, Wiley, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar). The keywords used were (intrabony defect OR vertical bone defect) AND (bone graft OR periodontal regeneration) AND (orthodontic). Out of 1656 studies that were retrieved initially, 14 full-text articles were checked for eligibility assessment. Finally, a total of seven studies met all of the requirements for inclusion in this study. This study includes two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are considered the highest level of evidence, however it is important to note that the overall evidence base is heterogeneous, inclusive of various study designs.

Discussion

Periodontal tissue damage must be addressed before considering orthodontic therapy, including cases with intrabony defects. On the basis of the seven studies, orthodontic therapy can be initiated as early as four weeks after surgery or as late as one year after periodontal surgery. Different types of bone graft materials, such as autografts, allografts, xenografts, and alloplasts, are used in the included studies. Three out of seven studies used autogenous graft combined with xenograft or enamel matrix derivative as the graft material as it is osteoconductive, osteogenic, and osteoinductive. Regular periodontal tissue maintenance therapy should be performed every 2-6 months, before, during, and after orthodontic treatment.

Conclusion

Making a proper diagnosis and treatment sequence is key to the success of a periodontal-orthodontic treatment. In addition, identifying the appropriate timing between periodontal surgery and orthodontic movement, selecting the most suitable bone graft material, and ensuring regular maintenance of periodontal tissue are important considerations.

Synergy of Regenerative Periodontal Surgery and Orthodontics Improves Quality of Life of Patients with Stage IV Periodontitis: 24-Month Outcomes of a Multicenter RCT

In stage IV periodontitis patients with pathologic tooth migration (PTM), interdisciplinary treatment includes regenerative periodontal surgery (RPS) with an application of biomaterials and orthodontic therapy (OT) to restore function, esthetics and thereby quality of life (QoL). In a 24-month randomized trial we explored the synergy between regenerative medicine and biomechanical force application. The following methods were used: Forty-three patients had been randomized to a combined treatment comprising RPS and subsequent OT starting either 4 weeks (early OT) or 6 months (late OT) post-operatively. Clinical periodontal parameters and oral health-related QoL (GOHAI) were recorded up to 24 months. We obtained the following results: Mean clinical attachment gain (∆CAL ± SD) was significantly higher with early OT (5.96 ± 2.1 mm) versus late OT (4.65 ± 1.76 mm) (p = 0.034). Pocket closure (PPD ≤ 4 mm) was obtained in 91% of defects with early OT compared to 90% with late OT. GOHAI-scores decreased significantly from 26.1 ± 7.5 to 9.6 ± 4.7 (early OT) and 25.1 ± 7.1 to 12.7 ± 5.6 (late OT). Inconclusion, teeth severely compromised by intrabony defects and PTM can be treated successfully by RPS followed by early OT with the advantage of an overall reduced treatment time. As a result of the combined periodontal-orthodontic therapy, the oral health-related QoL of patients was significantly improved. Early stimulation of wound healing with orthodontic forces had a favorable impact on the outcomes of regenerative periodontal surgery.